The end of a magical season

Published: Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at 9:44 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at 9:44 a.m.

When the NFL's regular reason came to a close Sunday, it was somewhat anticlimactic for fans of the New Orleans Saints.

While a handful of teams fought Sunday for places in the playoffs or to improve their seedings, the Saints and their fans already knew that they had the top place, secured by having the NFC's best regular-season record.

Since they knew that going into Sunday's action, there was no compelling reason for the Saints to play their best players.

Instead, New Orleans used a lineup that included mostly backups, allowing their star players to rest or continue healing from injuries that had bothered them for weeks.

Each year, one or two teams have the luxury of going into the last week of the season with their playoff positions already set.

That means those teams have to decide whether to play all their best players to keep them sharp heading into the postseason, or to let them rest and avoid the risk of injury.

And each year, the debate rages: Is a team better off staying in rhythm or making sure everyone stays healthy?

For the Saints, the question was on a lot of fans' minds several weeks ago, when the team had a 13-0 record and was flirting with the possibility of making it through the season undefeated.

Two losses, to Dallas and Tampa Bay, meant that the only question before Sunday was whether the team wanted to do all it could to avoid ending the season with a loss.

The coaches decided that the risk outweighed the potential benefit, and while some starters saw significant action, most of the big-name players rested up for what should be a successful playoff run.

Fans should pay little attention to the three-game skid at the end of the regular season.

First, the team threw in the towel before this week's game.

Second, the whole season begins anew once the playoffs start.

Third, if the Saints begin the playoffs with a huge win after a well-deserved rest, all the questions will be put to rest.

Had anyone suggested during the offseason that the team would end the season with a 13-3 mark and the first seed in the NFC, fans would have been ecstatic.

Now is the time to embrace that euphoria and let the playoff fever wash over the true fans.

There is no need to dwell on the tiny losing streak at the end of the season. Instead, get ready for the remaining steps on the road to the Super Bowl, the team's ultimate quest.

The first week of the playoffs will keep football fans glued to their television sets next week, as the wildcard teams battle the lowest-seeded division winners.

And week after next, the survivors will take on the cream of the crop, the teams that ended in the top spots.

The Saints — thanks to a tremendous regular season — will be in the latter group. And the Who Dat Nation should rejoice.

Geaux Saints!

Editorials represent the opinions of the newspaper, not of any individual.

<p>When the NFL's regular reason came to a close Sunday, it was somewhat anticlimactic for fans of the New Orleans Saints.</p><p>While a handful of teams fought Sunday for places in the playoffs or to improve their seedings, the Saints and their fans already knew that they had the top place, secured by having the NFC's best regular-season record.</p><p>Since they knew that going into Sunday's action, there was no compelling reason for the Saints to play their best players.</p><p>Instead, New Orleans used a lineup that included mostly backups, allowing their star players to rest or continue healing from injuries that had bothered them for weeks.</p><p>Each year, one or two teams have the luxury of going into the last week of the season with their playoff positions already set.</p><p>That means those teams have to decide whether to play all their best players to keep them sharp heading into the postseason, or to let them rest and avoid the risk of injury.</p><p>And each year, the debate rages: Is a team better off staying in rhythm or making sure everyone stays healthy?</p><p>For the Saints, the question was on a lot of fans' minds several weeks ago, when the team had a 13-0 record and was flirting with the possibility of making it through the season undefeated.</p><p>Two losses, to Dallas and Tampa Bay, meant that the only question before Sunday was whether the team wanted to do all it could to avoid ending the season with a loss.</p><p>The coaches decided that the risk outweighed the potential benefit, and while some starters saw significant action, most of the big-name players rested up for what should be a successful playoff run.</p><p>Fans should pay little attention to the three-game skid at the end of the regular season.</p><p>First, the team threw in the towel before this week's game.</p><p>Second, the whole season begins anew once the playoffs start.</p><p>Third, if the Saints begin the playoffs with a huge win after a well-deserved rest, all the questions will be put to rest.</p><p>Had anyone suggested during the offseason that the team would end the season with a 13-3 mark and the first seed in the NFC, fans would have been ecstatic.</p><p>Now is the time to embrace that euphoria and let the playoff fever wash over the true fans.</p><p>There is no need to dwell on the tiny losing streak at the end of the season. Instead, get ready for the remaining steps on the road to the Super Bowl, the team's ultimate quest.</p><p>The first week of the playoffs will keep football fans glued to their television sets next week, as the wildcard teams battle the lowest-seeded division winners.</p><p>And week after next, the survivors will take on the cream of the crop, the teams that ended in the top spots.</p><p>The Saints — thanks to a tremendous regular season — will be in the latter group. And the Who Dat Nation should rejoice.</p><p>Geaux Saints!</p><p>Editorials represent the opinions of the newspaper, not of any individual.</p>